textproduct: Rapid City

KEY MESSAGES

- Active pattern persists through mid-week with daily chances of storms, some of which may be strong to severe.

- Trending warmer to end the week into next weekend.

UPDATE

Issued at 1005 PM MDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Storms have mostly cleared the CWA, heading into Nebraska and central SD. The rest of the night should be quiet...except could see a stray shower across far south central SD overnight. A weak cold front/dry line will push into the CWA on Monday. Best instability will be ahead of the front mainly from the I-90 corridor southward. There is enough shear for some strong/severe storms with large hail/damaging winds. Highs Monday will be in the 80s. An upper wave is then expected to cross the CWA Monday night, bringing late evening and overnight showers/isolated storms.

DISCUSSION

(This Afternoon Through Saturday) Issued at 1129 AM MDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Upper level analysis shows zonal flow across the Northern Plains this morning with subtle embedded shortwaves upstream. Upper ridge is building over the SW US with weak height rises over the area and generally limited upper level ascent. Diffuse surface high pressure is centered over central SD/ND with southeasterly surface flow across the area.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon across the area despite the weak upper level forcing. Forecast MLCAPE 500-1500 J/kg will be in place, although effective bulk shear will be marginal (25-35 knots). Best potential for thunderstorm coverage is expected across the Black Hills given orographic lift where transient supercellular structures/severe weather is possible with the strongest convection through the evening hours.

Active northwest flow is forecast Monday with additional showers and thunderstorms. The best chance for severe weather will be along the theta-e axis focused across southern SD into south-central SD.

Daily chances of showers and thunderstorms persists through Wednesday. A robust upper level ridge will overspread the region by the end of the week into the weekend with much warmer temperatures expected. Current guidance has us on the northeastern periphery of the ridge axis with fairly active northwest flow across the region, resulting in continued chances of storms.

AVIATION

(For the 06Z TAFS Through 06Z Monday Night) Issued At 1042 PM MDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Isolated thunderstorms will continue for another hour or two tonight across the south-central South Dakota plains, with otherwise clearing skies and VFR conditions overnight. Another round of isolated thunderstorms is expected to develop Monday afternoon with initiation around 19-20z/1-2pm over the Black Hills. Consensus in the CAMs has given us enough confidence to introduce a PROB30 for an afternoon round of storms at KRAP, while confidence remains lower out at KGCC (and any storms that develop in that region will likely be several hours later toward evening). Brief vsby drops to MVFR along with hail and gusty winds will all be hazards under stronger storm cores. Outside of thunderstorms, synoptic winds throughout the period are expected to remain below about 8kts with gradually changing directions throughout the period.

UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...None. WY...None.